Darts World Matchplay: Gerwyn Price issues ‘ruthless’ Luke Littler warning after Blackpool reach semi-final | Arrow News

Gerwyn Price insists he can derail Luke Littler’s bid for back-to-back Matchplay World titles and believes other players are ‘making it too easy’ for the defending champion.

Price booked his first World Matchplay semi-final since 2022 with a 16-12 victory over Ross Smith at the Winter Gardens, where the ‘Ice Man’ averaged 102.78 and sealed victory with a four-leg blast.

The Welshman faces world No. 3 Gian van Veen in the final, with the winner of that semi-final advancing to face either Littler or Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday’s best-of-35 leg final.

Littler has beaten Price in every Premier League match between them this season and a World Masters semi-final decision, while ‘The Nuke’ remains unbeaten in PDC majors over 20 legs since losing in the 2024 World Championship final.

The world No 1 has been the heavy favorite to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen defended his World Matchplay title, scoring 109.57 in his victory over Josh Rock, although Price insists he cannot be stopped.

“I think there are many players who can achieve that [Littler’s] level,” Price told reporters after his quarterfinal victory.

“Is there anyone who can do it as long as him? I think I can and I think there are quite a few players, but he’s brutal at the minute – these 109, 110 averages look very easy for him.

“I think some players play his hand and just let him play in his rhythm. Horses are horses and sometimes you have to play your game, you have to play the game and you have to play the times.

“Sometimes, people make it too easy for him.”

More to come on the Van Veen showdown?

Price built a 12-8 lead against Smith in the quarter-finals when he threatened to go ahead, then found himself tied at 12-12 and finished strongly to reach the last four.

“I’m happy with the way I played most of the game, but there were a few legs that I slipped and it could have come back to haunt me at the end,” added Price.

“I think I should be 13-7 or 14-6 or whatever, because I wasted my chances and maybe I shouldn’t think like that. I’m just happy to get the win, but I’m a little disappointed.”

Van Veen admitted he needed to improve after his 16-13 quarter-final win over James Wade, where he scored a 93 and hit four legs before sealing the victory.

“It sounded so poor!” Van Veen he admitted to Sky Sports. “My goal scoring was terrible. I was very lucky James didn’t score and my finishing helped me. A win is a win.

“Game 118 – I really needed it. It was a tough fight but I’m glad I got the job done. I hope tomorrow I’ll be even better.”

What’s next?

The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the historic Winter Gardens on Saturday, where two best-of-33 semi-finals will be played to decide who advances to Sunday’s best-of-35 final.

Defending champion Littler continues his quest for back-to-back titles against Van Duijvenbode, making it to the last four of the event for the first time, with Price taking on Van Veen in the first semi-final.

Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Watch the whole weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action and at 9pm on Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts and other top games NOW.